Expansion Valve Power Element Seal Structure for Compact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of expansion valves in automobiles leads to deterioration of controllability and sealing properties due to the lack of miniaturization of the power element, which affects the refrigerant flow and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a seal between the valve main body and the power element, with a receiving member formed by press working and a cylindrical portion and annular flange portion, where a cutting process is performed to create a larger seal space, ensuring the power element is not miniaturized, thus maintaining sealability and controllability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power element is miniaturized along with the valve main body, then the overall size of the expansion valve is reduced, but the refrigerant flow changes and controllability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the miniaturization of the valve main body from the power element size. The valve main body is miniaturized while the power element maintains its original size, achieving segmentation of the miniaturization process to preserve controllability while reducing overall valve size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the radial dimension by extending an annular flange portion outward from the cylindrical portion of the receiving member. This dimensional change creates additional seal space without increasing the axial height, allowing the power element to maintain sufficient size for controllability while the overall valve assembly is compacted.
2Weight of moving object
If the overall size of the expansion valve is reduced, then weight is decreased and fuel consumption is suppressed, but sealability and controllability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the design approach by miniaturizing only the valve main body while keeping the power element at its original size. This segmentation allows weight reduction through miniaturization of non-critical components while preserving the performance-critical power element, thereby maintaining sealability and controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes radial extension of the annular flange portion to create seal space without increasing axial height. This dimensional strategy allows compact overall valve size for weight reduction while maintaining sufficient seal space for sealability and power element size for controllability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution maintains sealability and suppresses deterioration of controllability while reducing the size of the expansion valve, ensuring reliable refrigerant flow and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a thin plate diaphragm that elastically deforms under pressure
Implementation Method 2
heat is transferred between the refrigerant flowing from the valve main body into the lower space and the working gas of the pressure working chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an expansion valve and power element used therein that are capable of maintaining sealability while reducing the size of the expansion valve and suppressing deterioration of controllability. The expansion valve comprises a valve main body; a power element mounted on the valve main body; and a seal provided between the valve main body and the power element, wherein: the power element includes: an upper lid member; a receiving member; and a diaphragm interposed between the upper lid member and the receiving member, the receiving member is formed by press working, and includes a cylindrical portion and an annular flange portion that is adjacent to the cylindrical portion and extends in an outer circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion of the receiving member is fixed to the valve main body, and the seal is provided in a seal space formed between the cylindrical portion, the annular flange portion, and the valve main body, and a cutting process is performed on a region of the cylindrical portion adjacent to the annular flange portion, and the region forms a part of the seal space.